A sign post in Terekeka County. | Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio

The World Health Organization (WHO) has handed over a consignment of medical supplies to the South Sudan Doctors’ Union to support a major free medical outreach initiative in Terekeka County, Central Equatoria State.

Speaking during the handover, Dr Kennedy Ganiko, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to mobilising additional resources to sustain medical outreach programs nationwide.

Dr. Ganiko praised the doctors involved, noting that many of them are highly specialized professionals whose services are often inaccessible to ordinary citizens due to high costs in private clinics.

“The same doctors you see here today are specialists whom many citizens cannot afford to meet in private clinics. But they have chosen to go out and provide services free of charge to the people of South Sudan. This is the true spirit of nationalism,” he said.

He added that the initiative reflects genuine care for the people and the land, emphasizing that vulnerable groups, including people living with disabilities such as the blind, will benefit from the services.

The free medical camp is scheduled to run for three days, beginning on 23rd January, with another phase planned for 23rd April.

The President of the South Sudan Doctors’ Union, Dr. Zakir Peter-Ajak, outlined the scope of the outreach, confirming that a team of doctors will travel from Juba to Terekeka County to deliver comprehensive medical care.

“We will offer general surgery, orthopedic services, dental care, internal medicine, external medicine, and other medical specialities. All citizens of Terekeka are encouraged to come, as services will be provided free of charge,” Dr Zakir said.

Meanwhile, the WHO Representative to South Sudan, Dr Humphrey Karamagi, reaffirmed the organization’s readiness to continue supporting medical outreach camps nationwide, aimed at expanding access to essential healthcare services, especially in hard-to-reach communities.

The initiative is expected to significantly ease the healthcare burden on residents of Terekeka County and strengthen collaboration between international partners, the government, and local medical professionals.